ARCHIVED MHS OCTOBER 2024

• 10/26 - Pre - ACT 8:00am (arrive at 7:50am)

• 10/26 - PSAT 8:30am (arrive at 8:20am)
  

• 10/29 - AI in Education: A New Era of Learning 6:30 - 7:30

• 11/3 - Daylight Savings Ends

• 11/6-11/7 - MCAS ELA Retests

• 11/11 - Veterans' Day: No school for students

• 11/12-11/13 - MCAS MATH Retests

• 11/26 - Daytime Parent/Guardian Teacher Conferences

• 11/27 - Early Release All Grades

• 11/28 - 11/29 - Thanksgiving Break

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I want to extend a sincere thank you to the parents/guardians who dedicated their time and effort to set up the gym for our recent homecoming dance. The transformation was remarkable, and it created a wonderful atmosphere for our students to enjoy. Your involvement is what makes our school community so vibrant.

Additionally, it was great to see many of you at our recent parent conferences. Collaborating with you is essential to supporting our students’ success, and your engagement is invaluable. We really appreciated the feedback we received about this event. Our next conference day will be on November 26th, which is an early release day for our students.

I had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Femino and our talented chorus recently, and I must say, they sounded fantastic! Their performance of "Once Upon A December" from the motion picture Anastasia was top notch, and they also delivered an impressive rendition of a piece from La La Land. It’s clear that our students are not only honing their musical skills but also developing a passion for the arts that enriches our school culture.

On the sports front, we have now celebrated and recognized our senior athletes on the cross-country teams, girls' soccer and volleyball teams. The senior day/nights were joyous occasions as we recognized the student-athletes for their hard work and dedication. These students exemplify the spirit of teamwork and perseverance, and I am proud of all they have accomplished. Our senior night for the football team will be on November 1st.

A couple of events I want to point out coming up next week is our AI presentation for parents/guardians happening on Tuesday, October 29th and our community forum on our school building project that will take place on Wednesday, October 30th. More information on each of these events is below in this newsletter.

Scroll down and check out what our DECA and Active Minds club have been up to! Also check out the amazing artwork that students continue to produce!

Have a great weekend,

Patrick Nash

Principal

Millis High School

Dear Millis Families,
We invite you to attend an informative presentation on AI in Education: A New Era of Learning

on October 29, 2024 from 6:30-7:30 in the STEAM Lab at the Clyde F. Brown Elementary School.

This presentation will provide valuable insights into how artificial intelligence is being used in our schools and how it can benefit your child's education.

We will discuss topics such as:

• What is AI?
• How teachers are using AI in the classroom
• How students are using AI for learning
• The future of AI in education

We believe that understanding AI is essential for families to understand today's world and the world of our children's future.

Please join us for this important event.

-Ryan

Ryan Camire
Director of Digital Learning and Innovative Educational Technology
Millis Public Schools

On September 25th the Guidance Department held a Senior Parent Night with information for parents of this year's seniors.

Here are the slides from the presentations:
Guidance Counselors' presentation.

Financial Aid presentation.

An accompanying video can be watched here.

The 10th graders participate each year in a Veterans Day interview project. The veterans will be coming in this year on Wednesday, November 6th during Period 3 (9:05-10:08). All sophomores will be called down to the cafeteria at 9am that morning.

Last week was the MHS Homecoming football game against Bellingham High School which, despite the Millis Mohawks giving their best efforts, was won by the Bellingham team. The following day was the Spirit Rally and the Homecoming dance in the evening. Students at the dance seemed to have a fantastic evening and a lot of fun.

Tug of War at the Spirit Rally

MHS Band at the Spirit Rally

MHS Volleyball Team at the Spirit Rally

Terpsichore at the Spirit Rally

Homecoming Court

The Homecoming Dance

At the Homecoming football game last Thursday, students and spectators supported mental health with a GREEN OUT. Active Minds had been selling green bandanas during lunches and continued at the game to show support for talking about mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding these discussions.

On Wednesday 10/22, Mrs. FitzGerald and Mr. Bigelow took a few of the DECA members to the Fall State Leadership Conference at Bentley University. This was a conference where the students networked with other chapters in Massachusetts and attended workshops where they learnt about how to create a professional wardrobe, chapter officer training, successful fundraising, and how to find a career they love.

On October 19 several high school groups including members of Terpsichore and the ChemClub participated as volunteers at the M.E.R.I.T. Haunted hayride at Tangerinis' Farm, Millis. Terpsichore dancers had a station in the corn fields to scare the hayriders and ChemClub members ran hands on activities for the folks waiting to board the wagons, including invisible ink, Halloween chromatography and bubble ghosts. A scarily fun time was had by all!

More about M.E.R.I.T.

Millis High School Art students have been extremely busy throughout Quarter 1.

In Art, Design, and New Media, students have been learning the basics of Adobe Illustrator. Check out their impressive Hillside Landscapes in which they mastered shape-making and color fill techniques.

In Fundamentals of Studio Art 1, students have been working hard to create value with a variety of pencils and graphite weights. Here are some of their Metallic Balloon Letter drawings in which they used a grid method. This drawing strategy allows artists to break down complex shapes into a series of smaller areas.

They also applied their shading skills to drawings of hands.

There are many things happening at once in Studio 2, 3, and AP Art and Design. Take a look at some highlights.

Please keep up with all of our Art Room updates on Instagram @radartroom

Millis High School is now accepting applications for the 2025 3-day HOBY Leadership seminar to be held in June at Bentley University. Applications are available in guidance and must be completed and returned to Mrs. Knabel by November 1.

Information about HOBY

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what an exciting Spirit Week we just wrapped up here at Millis High! It was a week filled with enthusiasm, creativity, and a wonderful sense of community as our students showcased their school spirit. From the class competitions to the school rally, there were a lot moments of excitement and celebration.

To keep this letter brief, I invite you to enjoy the attached photos and captions that capture the energy and joy of the week!

Please note that we’ve included sign-up sheets for parent conferences in this newsletter. We look forward to connecting with you and discussing your child’s progress. Additionally, I want to remind you about the upcoming SBIRT survey scheduled for next Thursday. We have included information in this newsletter about what this survey entails as well as opt-out information.

Thank you,

Patrick Nash

Principal

Millis High School

We are excited to share that our parent/guardian conferences will be taking place on the evening of October 24th and during the day on November 26th. There is the option to meet virtually or in-person. Please see our sign-up sheet by clicking the link below. Please click on each teacher's link that you would like to meet with and choose a time.

Parent/Guardian Conference Sheet Link

There will be a basketball interest meeting on 10/22 at 7:30am in the HS Gym.
Please complete this form even if you plan to attend the meeting. If you can not attend but plan to play this winter, complete the form and email it to Coach Adams at millismohawkpride@gmail.com.

Congratulations to MHS seniors Macy Cyr, Isabella Briones and Addison Loer for receiving the New England School Development Council Awards for Academic Growth and Student Leadership in Learning.

Isabella Briones (center) received the 2024 Mass Assoc. of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence.

The three seniors were honored at the School Committee meeting on October 15th. They met the award criteria of pursuing a high level of academic achievement, serving as positive role models for the student body and exemplifying admirable character and accomplishment.

Macy Cyr

Macy Cyr is an exceptional individual and the perfect candidate for the NESDEC Award for Academic Growth and Leadership. Not only is she an accomplished student, but she is a natural leader and a role model at Millis High School. Macy is a high honor roll student who is intrinsically motivated to reach her goals. Macy’s enthusiasm and inclusivity were evident when she first came to MIllis High School as a new student her freshman year and she jumped right in by joining several clubs and sports. By her junior year, she grew to be a leader of several of those groups and even started her own. She founded and led our school's Mock Trial Club, guiding the team to victory in one of their first competitions. Macy's ability to build the club from the ground up, seek out resources, and lead her peers with confidence speaks volumes about her leadership capabilities. Macy also serves as the President of the Peer Leaders Club and the Active Minds Club, where she fosters a supportive environment for her peers and promotes mental health awareness. Her passion for advocacy and community service extends beyond these roles, as she is also an officer for the Environmental Action Club, an editor for the school newspaper, and an active member of the Junior Leos community service club and the National Honor Society. Macy's commitment to making a positive impact is further demonstrated by her involvement as a Global Scholar, where she has consistently pushed the boundaries of her understanding of global issues. Macy is the Captain of the Varsity Volleyball team and exemplifies the qualities of a true team player—dependable, spirited, and always encouraging those around her to reach their full potential.

Isabelle Briones

An accomplished student and leader at Millis High School, Isabella Briones is an outstanding choice for the 2024 Mass Assoc. of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence. Throughout high school, Isabella has taken the most challenging courses available and has excelled in each and every course. In addition to her impressive academic accomplishments, she has shown an unwavering commitment to making a difference. As the Founder and Co-President of the Environmental Action Club, Isabella's vision and leadership have grown to over 50 members, united by a mission to educate, advocate, and act on environmental issues both locally and globally. Her innovative spirit shines through initiatives like creating reusable grocery bags and organizing town-wide bottle drives. These efforts have not only raised over $500 for environmental non-profits but have also instilled a culture of environmental consciousness within our school and community.

Isabella’s academic pursuits reflect the same dynamism and dedication. As a STEAM Scholar, Isabella has carved a niche for herself in the fields of math and biology, consistently excelling and even shadowing experts at the Network Science Institute. Isabella's role as Co-President of the Millis National Honor Society and Delegate of the National High School Climate Forum further underscores her leadership capabilities. Her involvement in various clubs and sports teams, such as the Leo's community service club and Varsity Volleyball and Softball, speaks to her ability to balance multiple commitments with grace and efficacy. Isabella has been recognized with several awards throughout high school, including Excellence in AP Biology, The Aristotle Award of AP Language and Composition, Excellence in Algebra II Honors, Excellence in Spanish IV Honors, Piaget Award for Excellence in AP Psychology, The Harvard Book Award, AP Scholar with Honor Award, and the George Eastman Young Leaders Award.

Addison Loer

Addison Loer has navigated her high school journey with remarkable poise and determination. She is a multifaceted young lady whose strengths in leadership, academic excellence, and interpersonal skills make her the perfect choice for the 2024 NESDEC Award for Academic Growth and Leadership. She is a true role model who leads by example and her commitment to her education is both inspiring and commendable. Addy has consistently challenged herself academically, earning high honors in her freshman and junior years while maintaining a position on the honor roll throughout high school. Her academic journey is a testament to her strong work ethic and her ability to balance a demanding schedule with grace.

Beyond the classroom, Addy has made significant contributions to our school community through her involvement in various clubs and leadership roles. As the Co-President of the National Honor Society and the Environmental Action Club, Addy has demonstrated her ability to inspire and lead her peers toward common goals. Her role as Executive President and Class Representative of Student Council throughout her high school years is a testament to her dedication to serving her community and her peers. Addy’s leadership extends to the athletic field as well, where she has excelled as an athlete on the Volleyball, Tennis, and Track/Field teams, serving as Captain of the Winter Track team. Her teammates and coaches alike can attest to her determination, sportsmanship, and ability to motivate and uplift those around her. In addition to her academic and extracurricular commitments, Addy has shown an impressive level of responsibility and maturity through her work experiences. As an Assistant Manager at Park Street Books, a Kids Game Coordinator at Salters Point Recreational Club, and a babysitter, Addy has honed her skills in communication, organization, and prioritizing responsibilities. Her ability to balance work and school is indicative of her strong sense of independence and reliability.

Addy’s empathetic nature and her genuine desire to make a positive impact on those around her are qualities that truly define her character. She gives back to her community in various ways, including volunteering with Freshman Orientation, Homecoming, Peer Leaders Thrift Shop, Environmental Action School Clean Up, and as a tutor in various subjects. Addy is a friend to all of her peers, a self-advocate, and a natural leader who consistently adds value to any group she is a part of. Her maturity and kindness make her a pleasure to be around, and it is no surprise that she is held in high regard by both her peers and teachers. Addy’s goal is to obtain her bachelor’s degree while pursuing a major related to Event Marketing or International Relations.

This week was Fall Spirit Week and students and staff dressed up in different themes for each day. Games were played at lunchtime. These were the themes:

Tuesday 10/15 - USA DAY. Lunchtime game: Donuts on a string

Wednesday 10/16 - Jerseys or Jersey Shore. Lunchtime game: Apple bobbing

Thursday 10/17 - Millis Pride. Lunchtime game: Water balloon toss.

Friday 10/18 - Class Colors. Lunchtime game: Egg on a spoon race

On Thursday MHS held its Fall Pep Rally. The atmosphere was electric and plenty of School Spirit was on display.

The Homecoming Court was introduced. Congratulations to the following students:

• Riley Sullivan escorted by Harrison Loer

• Thaynara Lopes escorted by Dillon FitzGerald

• Michaela Vasta escorted by Nick Hohman

• Lindsey Grattan escorted by Declan Ryan

• Addison Loer escorted by Ryan Johnston. (Addison Loer is this year's Homecoming Queen 👸)

The Performing Arts Stars were individually introduced by their presidents and the Sports Teams were individually introduced by their team captains to resounding applause.

There was a banner parade with banners made by each grade and presenting by students sitting on the shoulders of their fellow students. This was followed by some fun relay races: a potato sack race, a legged race, wheelbarrow races and sprint. Then came a Tug of War with the grades facing off against each other. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 who were the Tug of War winners!

Left-right: Ryan Johnston, Addison Loer, Nick Hohman, Michaela Vasta, Harrison Loer, Riley Sullivan, Declan Ryan, Lindsey Grattan, Dillon Fitzgerald, Thaynara Lopes

Chloe and Tessa opened the Rally and the MHS band played throughout.

Class banner parade

Races and Tug of War

Members of Active Minds Club were selling green bandanas outside the cafeteria during our lunch breaks on Wednesday in support of Mental Health Awareness.

Millis High School will again be partnering with MGH to administer a mental health and substance use survey to all grades on October 24th. Please see the translated letters linked below for further details and for the opt-out form if you would prefer your student not participate.

English Opt Out letter

Spanish Opt Out letter

Portuguese Opt Out letter

Russian Opt Out letter

Arabic Opt Out letter

Ukrainian Opt Out letter

Spanish

Millis High School se asociará nuevamente con MGH para administrar una encuesta de salud mental y uso de sustancias a todos los grados el 24 de octubre. Consulte las cartas traducidas adjuntas a continuación para obtener detalles y el formulario de exclusión voluntaria si prefiere que su estudiante no participe.

Portuguese

A Millis High School fará novamente parceria com o MGH para administrar uma pesquisa sobre saúde mental e uso de substâncias em todas as séries no dia 24 de outubro. Por favor, consulte as cartas traduzidas em anexo abaixo para obter detalhes e o formulário de cancelamento se preferir que seu aluno não participe.

Russian

Средняя школа Миллиса снова будет сотрудничать с MGH для проведения опроса о психическом здоровье и употреблении психоактивных веществ во всех классах 24 октября. Подробную информацию см. в прилагаемых переведенных письмах ниже, а также в форме отказа, если вы предпочитаете, чтобы ваш ученик не участвовал.

Srednyaya shkola Millisa snova budet sotrudnichat' s MGH dlya provedeniya oprosa o psikhicheskom zdorov'ye i upotreblenii psikhoaktivnykh veshchestv vo vsekh klassakh 24 oktyabrya. Podrobnuyu informatsiyu sm. v prilagayemykh perevedennykh pis'makh nizhe, a takzhe v forme otkaza, yesli vy predpochitayete, chtoby vash uchenik ne uchastvoval.

Arabic

ستتعاون مدرسة ميليس الثانوية مرة أخرى مع MGH لإدارة استبيان الصحة العقلية وتعاطي المخدرات لجميع الصفوف في 24 أكتوبر. يرجى الاطلاع على الرسائل المترجمة المرفقة أدناه للحصول على التفاصيل ونموذج إلغاء الاشتراك إذا كنت تفضل عدم مشاركة الطالب.

satataeawan madrasat milis althaanawiat maratan 'ukhraa mae MGH li'iidarat aistibyan alsihat aleaqliat wataeati almukhadirat lijamie alsufuf fi 24 'uktubar. yurjaa alaitilae ealaa alrasayil almutarjamat almurfaqat 'adnaah lilhusul ealaa altafasil wanamudhaj 'iilgha' alaishtirak 'iidha kunt tufadil eadam musharakat altaalib.

Ukrainian

Millis High School знову співпрацюватиме з MGH, щоб провести опитування щодо психічного здоров’я та вживання психоактивних речовин у всіх класах 24 жовтня. Будь ласка, перегляньте вкладені перекладені листи нижче, щоб отримати детальну інформацію та форму відмови, якщо ви бажаєте, щоб ваш студент не брав участі.

Millis High School znovu spivpratsyuvatyme z MGH, shchob provesty opytuvannya shchodo psykhichnoho zdorovʺya ta vzhyvannya psykhoaktyvnykh rechovyn u vsikh klasakh 24 zhovtnya. Budʹ laska, perehlyanʹte vkladeni perekladeni lysty nyzhche, shchob otrymaty detalʹnu informatsiyu ta formu vidmovy, yakshcho vy bazhayete, shchob vash student ne brav uchasti.

High School picture day will be Tuesday, October 22. Order forms can be downloaded from the High School website. Paper copies will be available in school.

Seniors should refer to the Yearbook classroom for portrait information.

Attention Parents/Guardians of Juniors

Millis High School will be offering the PSAT-NMSQT to juniors on Saturday, October 26th.

The PSAT, or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is a “practice” version of the SAT, one of two college entrance exams available to students. It is an excellent predictor of how a student will score on the SAT. The PSAT helps prepare our juniors for the SAT, which they will be taking this coming Spring. The PSAT/NMSQT will help students better understand their abilities, determine eligibility for national scholarships and recognition programs, and enable them to receive information directly from colleges. We recommend that all juniors take the PSAT.

On October 26th, the exam will begin at 8:30am. Students should arrive by 8:20am to find their room assignments, and come prepared with a chromebook, charger, several number two pencils and a calculator. The exam requires approximately 2½ hours. Students may expect to finish between 11:00am-11:30pm. All students will be dismissed at the same time. Please contact Riley Dunn rdunn@millisschools.org with any questions.

********

Attention Parents/Guardians of Sophomores:

Millis High School will be offering the Pre-ACT to sophomores on Saturday, October 26th, starting at 8am. The Pre-ACT is a practice ACT, one of the two college entrance exams available to students. No preparation is required for the Pre-ACT. The Pre-ACT is a multiple choice test consisting of questions in English, Math, Reading, and Science.

On October 26th, students should arrive at 7:50am to find their room assignments and come prepared with several number two pencils and a calculator. The exam requires approximately 3 ½- 4 hours, so students should expect to finish between 11:30am - 12:00pm. All students will be dismissed at the same time.

Grade 9 postural screening will begin in October. The purpose of the postural (scoliosis) screening is to find early signs of possible spinal problems in children grades 5th-9th. If the nurse has any concerns she will notify you. The students will be screened individually.

Grade 10 will begin mandated screening in November. This screening includes height, weight, vision and hearing. This will take place in the health office.

If your child has already been screened by your doctor and you wish to opt out of any of the screenings or if you have any questions please email Lynn Molinari

Massachusetts Mandatory Health Screenings

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It’s hard to believe that we are just over halfway through our first quarter! Our students have been working hard in their classroom, clubs and out on the courts/playing fields.

I want to take a moment to extend a heartfelt thank you to our MIAA student ambassadors—Macy Ingraham, Owen Caulfield, and Alicia Ellis. They represented MHS with great pride at the Educational Athletics Summit at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough yesterday. Their enthusiasm and commitment to our school community shines brightly, and we couldn't be more proud of them!

This week, I had the pleasure of visiting Ms. Young's geometry class. As a former math teacher, it felt like home. The students were deep in discussion about various angle relationships with parallel lines cut by a transversal. I also want to take the time to highlight Mr. Carter, who ran a successful book fair where students had the opportunity to explore different genres of books. Check out the pictures below of Mr. Panciocco's and Mrs. Fitzgerald's Spanish classes as well as some speed dating in our AP Human Geography class.

Looking ahead to next week, I’m excited to announce that we are gearing up for Homecoming! Our Millis Spirit Week will feature a different theme each day, friendly competitions between classes, a rally to pump up our school spirit, exciting home athletic events, and we’ll cap it all off with a lively school dance on Friday night. I look forward to seeing everyone come together to celebrate our Millis pride!

I hope everyone has a great long weekend,

Patrick Nash

Principal

Millis High School

Students in Mr. Panciocco’s Spanish 3 class had fun playing the classic card game, ‘Uno’ as part of the Regular and Irregular Preterite Verb Unit. It was a great opportunity for students to collaborate with each other in a fun and engaging way while practicing a difficult grammatical concept in the Spanish language.

Mrs. FitzGerald's Spanish IV class learned about artists such as Diego Rivera, Fernando Botero, and Frida Kahlo during this Hispanic Heritage month. They had the opportunity to create their own paintings to end the art unit.

Mr Bigelow’s AP Human Geography class just completed a unit on culture and the class completed a cultural speed dating activity where students chose from different indigenous cultures and wrote a profile including cultural characteristics. Different cultures included: Native Hawaiian, Maasai, Adivasi, Māori, Inuit, and Nukak Amazon tribe. Students had a blast learning about their culture, writing their profiles, and sharing with their classmates.

Congratulations to the following students who were recently nominated and selected by MHS administrators and faculty to represent our school and community as MIAA Student Ambassadors for the 24-25 school year. It's a tremendous honor and opportunity for them to represent their school and peers in this way.

Alicia Ellis

Owen Caulfield

Macy Ingraham

For those not familiar with the program, its goal is to build a network of student leaders from MIAA member schools by attending seminars and conferences during the year. Through this network, they will share information about MIAA Educational Athletics initiatives, as well as other student leadership and volunteer opportunities.

Our online store is live!! Winter sports, general athletics, terpsichore, band, drama and chorus stores available thru 10/15. Go Mohawks!

Basketball Store Access Code: zPKYXJFHcL use this to enter the store.

T&F Store Access Code: rgoxHmTwEm use this to enter the store.

Athletics Store Access Code: vSzAcPShpC use this to enter the store.

Terpsichore Store Access Code: 2PmvqSKAKg use this to enter the store.

Band Store Access Code: WebJPKrThT use this to enter the store.

Chorus Store Access Code: zBpMp7LCCL use this to enter the store.

Drama Store Access Code: yXvwZaU6Kn use this to enter the store.

Here are the daily themes for Spirit Week:

Tuesday 10/15 - USA theme

Wednesday 10/16 - Jerseys vs Jersey Shore

Thursday 10/17 - Millis Pride

Friday 10/18 - Class color (Seniors - black, Juniors - white, Sophomores - blue, Freshman - red)

The Homecoming Dance will be on Friday, October 18th, 2023 from 6-9 PM. Homecoming Tickets will be on sale at both lunches and in room 102 from now until Thursday, October 17th. Tickets are $20 each and you can pay by cash or Venmo (@RachelHayden-2017). NO tickets will be sold at the door. You must buy your ticket ahead of time in order to go to the dance. If you are planning on bringing a guest to Homecoming that does not go to MHS you will need to get the guest contract signed. No out of town guests will be allowed to attend without a contract. Contracts MUST be turned in by October 17th. Please contact Mrs. Hayden if you have any questions.

1981 Millis High School Alum, Louise Ball, elected LPGA Professionals President.

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is one of the longest-running women's professional sports associations in the world. Founded in 1950, the organization has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a nonprofit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Tour and the LPGA Professionals comprise the backbone of what has become the premier women's professional sports organization in the world today. The LPGA maintains a strong focus on charity through its tournaments, its grassroots junior and women's programs, and its LPGA Foundation. The LPGA is under the guidance of Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan and is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida.

For more information click here

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am excited to share some recent highlights from our school community that reflect our students’ hard work and our supportive parent/guardian and community involvement.

Last weekend, our Boosters held a fantastic and fun 5K run that brought together students, families, and community members in an uplifting show of school support and spirit. It was wonderful to see so many of you participating and cheering on our runners. The event had a record turnout of over 200 runners!

On Wednesday, our volleyball team hosted a game dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. It was great to see everyone wearing pink and supporting our athletes as they played for an important cause. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about advocacy and community support, and it was great to see a strong turnout from our students and families. Through bake/raffle sales and donations, the team raised over $1300 in support of the Dana Farber Cancer institute! If you would like to donate, please see information below in our newsletter.

A special thank you to the Boosters for organizing the delightful coffee and ice cream truck on Tuesday that kept our student-athletes energized and refreshed. Our student-athletes really seemed to enjoy the after school event. Our teams performed really well that day!

In addition to these exciting events, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting classrooms throughout the week. In Ms. Copice’s chemistry class, students were engaged in an intriguing hands-on activity, finding the density of different shaped metals through the process of displacement. Their curiosity and collaboration were truly impressive. Meanwhile, in Mr. Caulfield’s class, Superintendent Mullaney and I found students deeply immersed in discussions about The Crucible, demonstrating critical thinking and a passionate engagement with the text. Lastly, in Mr. Alconada’s class, our freshmen were captivated by the unique concept of a water bear, sparking curiosity and a lively discussion about these fascinating creatures.

Good luck to our junior varsity boys’ soccer team at home against Douglas today at 4:30 pm. We also have our football team playing at David Prouty High School at 6:00 pm on Saturday. Go Mohawks!

**A quick note that the sign-ups for Parent/Guardian Teacher conferences will go out in next week's newsletter.

Shanah Tova to our students, staff and families celebrating Rosh Hashanah.

Enjoy the weekend,

Patrick Nash

Principal

Millis High School

Chemistry with Ms. Copice

Volleyball For a Cure and the ice cream/coffee truck organized by Boosters.

Active Minds Club

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we hosted our 2024 Volleyball to Cure Cancer Match on Wednesday October 2nd!

We are happy to say that at the match alone we raised over $1300 for Dana Farber Cancer Institute, both in raffle/bake sales and online donations to our fundraising page. Our fundraising page will remain open through the end of October.

To date, we've raised over $2000 for in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That is a fantastic accomplishment!

When you participate or make a gift, you’re directly supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s mission to defy cancer through a unique focus on cutting-edge research and compassionate patient cancer care.
Please consider making a donation today!

Our 2024-2025 youth basketball program will be structured to allow for instruction and playing time. This program will include practice dates prior to the beginning of the season. This program will allow time for instruction, equal playing time and full-court games. Two coaches are needed for each team. Games will be played Saturdays. The teams will be broken down by grades.

Late sign-ups will be assigned to teams accordingly after the draft on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in the Recreation Office, Room 128.

Special requests will not be honored.

YOU MUST REGISTER BEFORE OCTOBER 25th !!

Veterans Memorial Building Gym

Saturday games 12/7/24-2/8/25 (no games 12/21 or 12/28)

8 weeks

Fee: $125

Kindergarten – Co-ed – Skills & Drills (Lead Coaches needed)

1st grade boys – Skills & Drills (Lead Coaches needed)

2nd-3rd grade boys

1st-3rd grade girls

MANDATORY EVALS – Monday, October 28th at Town Hall Gym:

6:00 pm 2nd grade GIRLS

6:30 pm 3rd grade GIRLS

7:00 pm 2nd grade BOYS

7:30 pm 3rd grade BOYS

Register online

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If your student’s Chromebook stops working or requires maintenance, please have them email our Tech Department at helpdesk@millisschools.org to advise they have an issue. Students can also bring their device to the Library and speak to a student at the SHOP desk. The SHOP desk is our student technology team that now handles the loaner devices. If there are no students present at the SHOP desk, please see our librarian, Mr. Carter, at the circulation desk. The same is true if they forget their device at home. They can go to the Library and borrow a device and/or charger any day school is in session as long as supply lasts. We have also created a Chromebook Care and Use Guide for everything Chromebook related.

Insurance for Chromebooks is suggested and the information can be accessed below.

School lunch continues to be FREE to all students this year. Every student is eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each daily, and you can check out the menus here. If you feel your family qualifies for free and reduced lunch, you should still fill out the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2024-2025 school year. The application is used to determine qualification for free transportation, as well as waivers, such as athletic fees.

• Free and Reduced FAQ
• How to Apply
• Application

Now is a great time to familiarize yourself with the 2024-25 Millis High School Parent/Student Handbook. Students will be required to sign off on the fact they read through the handbook and understand the school policies as we head into the new school year.

2024-25 Millis High School Parent/Student Handbook

• An updated physical is required for all students entering grade 10
• Grade 11 and 12 entry: 1 booster dose of MenACWY received on or after 16 years of age is required (1 or more doses of MenACWY are acceptable as long as 1 dose was received on or after 16 years of age.)

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-

Please reach out with any questions and send all medical documentation to Lynn Molinari - lmolinari@millisschools.org

Welcome Back!

For the most up-to-date information on the Millis Middle/High School Building Project, please go to the following website: https://www.millisschoolproject.com/.

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If your student is going to be late to school, a parent/guardian must contact the office, by or before 8:00 AM. The office can be reached one of the following ways:

Attendance line: 508-906-3713

Attendance email: hsattendance@millisschools.org

or you may send your student in with a note

If we don’t hear from a parent/guardian, the tardy will be unexcused. Upon arrival at school, the student should go directly to the office and sign in.

If your student needs to be dismissed, a parent/guardian must send their student in with a note or email the office at hsattendance@millisschools.org, listing the dismissal time and reason. Just a reminder that driving hours should not be scheduled during the school day, and do not constitute excused time away from school.

Phone calls for dismissals are not permitted.

Students are expected to check in with the office to confirm their dismissal and receive a pass. If we do not receive a note, a parent or guardian must come into the office to sign their student out at the time of dismissal. Please make every effort to adhere to this dismissal policy to minimize disruptions to class time. Please also be mindful of how a dismissal may impact your student’s eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities.

• Activities Eligibility Dismissal: If your student is involved in extracurricular activities and needs to be dismissed during the school day, they will need to provide a note from the place of their appointment (not a parental note) so they remain eligible to play or practice.
• Medical Dismissal: Any student requesting to leave for any kind of medical reason must go through the nurse’s office.
• Emergency Dismissal: In the event of a true emergency, a parent/guardian should contact the office. Every attempt will be made to expedite the dismissal. Please note, driving hours scheduled during the school day are not considered an emergency nor excusable under any circumstance. Every effort should be made to complete these hours outside of school hours.

If your student needs to be absent from school, a parent/guardian must notify the office via the attendance line at 508-906-3713 or by emailing hsattendance@millisschools.org as close to 8:00 AM as possible. If we don’t hear from a parent/guardian, the absence is unexcused and the student will be marked as truant. Attendance at school is incredibly important, and every effort possible should be made to maintain regular attendance at the high school.

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Below are the School Counseling assignments for the 2024-25 school year, along with contact information for the School Counselors:

Mrs. Riley Dunn (rdunn@millisschools.org)

Grade 9 (2028): Abraham - Johnson

Grade 10 (2027): Alan - Kazis

Grade 11 (2026): Arian - Lauria

Grade 12 (2025): Adams - Johnston

Mrs. Nicole Knabel (nmoore@millisschools.org)

Grade 9 (2028): Kirkland - Wosny

Grade 10 (2027): Kraby - Zammarchi

Grade 11 (2026): Lebak - Young

Grade 12 (2025): Kiggen - Zangari

Small School.. Big Family

MHS Vision of a Graduate

Communication * Collaboration * Critical Thinking * Character

The Millis Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, gender identity, religion, national origins, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

Website: https://hs.millisps.org/
Location: Millis High School, 245 Plain Street, Millis, MA, USA
Phone: 508-376-7010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Millis-High-School-1743691028988870/
Twitter: @millishigh

Instagram: @millishigh